1/6 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: RANDY THE RAM MAKES HIS WRESTLING DEBUT, GAIL KIM VS. AWESOME KONG STEALS THE SHOW AT TNA FINAL RESOLUTION, FLAIR VS. COLON IN PUERTO RICO, CACTUS JACK TURNS GOOD AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

1989 - The NWA ran Philadelphia, PA at the Civic Center, drawing just 1,000 fans although over 4,000 tickets had been sold due to a snowstorm in the area that also kept a number of talents from making the shot. The official results saw:Larry Zbyzsko pinned Kendall WindhamAl Perez pinned Dustin RhodesDennis Condrey & Randy Rose defeated Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers (sub. for Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane)Sir Oliver Humperdink won a four-man managers bunkhouse battle royal at the 3-minute mark after throwing out Paul Jones; other participants were Paul E. Dangerously and Gary HartKendall Windham fought Eddie Gilbert to a double count-outNWA Tag Team Champions the Road Warriors & Paul Ellering defeated Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, & Sting via disqualificationNWA World Champion Ric Flair pinned NWA TV Champion Rick Steiner at the 25-minute mark with his feet on the middle rope for leverage following a shoulderblock from the apron and then sliding into the ring on top of Steiner; Steiner thought he had won the match and title moments earlier with the belly to belly suplex but Flair's foot was on the bottom rope; after the match, Steiner hit the belly to belly suplex on referee Tommy YoungLex Luger won a bunkhouse battle royal by last eliminating NWA US Tag Team Champion Steve Williams

1993 - Cactus Jack became a babyface for the first time in Mick Foley's career following an angle taped for WCW Main Event in Montgomery, Alabama. Cactus Jack fought Paul Orndorff to a no contest in a streetfight at around the 8-minute mark when Big Van Vader attacked Cactus after Cactus knocked down Harley Race, who was at ringside to scout which of the two men would replace injured WCW U.S. Champion Rick Rude on Vader's team at the Clash of the Champion. After the bout, Vader, Orndorff, and Race assaulted Cactus. This would lead to Cactus attacking Orndorff and Vader with a shovel and having a run as a babyface for the remainder of his WCW career. Foley would remain a babyface until turning heel against Tommy Dreamer in the summer of 1995.

1997 - WCW broadcast Monday Nitro from Monroe, LA with the following results:Glacier pinned Bobby Eaton at 1:56 with the Cryonic KickKonnan (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Big Bubba in a Mexican strap match at 5:52 when Bubba knocked Konnan into the fourth and final corner with an uppercut; prior to the bout, footage was shown of Konnan and Bubba's altercations over the previous three weeks; it was announced prior to the match that the Giant would face WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan at Souled Out; after the contest, Bubba attacked Konnan and dropped him with the sidewalk slamWCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal fought Jim Duggan (sub. for Diamond Dallas Page) to a time-limit draw at 8:27 after Duggan knocked the champion out with a taped fist punch; during the bout, Eric Bischoff, Syxx, and WCW Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash came out to the commentary table, with Tony Schiavone & Larry Zbyzsko giving them their headsets and leaving; moments later, Bischoff implied Page had joined the nWo and was meeting with WCW Tag Team Champion Scott Hall; Bischoff then gave information on how women can enter the Miss nWo Contest, said he had signed the ideal candidate for the nWo and would release that information soon, and told Randy Savage to stop calling him; after the contest, Duggan waved a WCW flag inside the ring (Regal's first appearance with new theme music)Hugh Morrus pinned Jim Powers (w/ Teddy Long) with the moonsault at 1:40 after catching Powers in mid-air and hitting a powerslam; prior to the bout, Schiavone & Zbyzsko returned to the broadcast boothRey Mysterio Jr. pinned Psychosis with the springboard hurricanrana at 6:43; during the bout, it was announced Jushin Liger defeated J-Cup Champion the Ultimo Dragon the previous week at the Tokyo Dome but Dragon was still the WCW Cruiserweight Champion; it was also announced Dragon would defend the Cruiserweight Title at the Clash of the Champions against Liger and that Rick & Scott Steiner would face WCW Tag Team Champions Kevin Nash & Scott Hall at Souled OutKevin Sullivan (w/ Jimmy Hart) pinned Chavo Guerrero Jr. at 2:17 with the Tree of Woe and double stomp; during the match, it was announced Sullivan would face Chris Benoit in a falls count anywhere match at the Clash of the ChampionsWCW US Champion Eddie Guerrero pinned Alex Wright at 9:05 with a superplex and the frog splash; prior to the bout, footage was shown of Guerrero being attacked at Starrcade by Syxx; during the contest, it was announced Guerrero would face Syxx in a ladder match at Souled Out and that Chris Jericho would face Masahiro Chono; late in the match, Syxx appeared in the aisle, climbed a ladder, and showed off the stolen US title belt around his waist, distracting Guerrero; immediately after the contest, Guerrero chased Syxx backstageHarlem Heat (w/ Sister Sherri) defeated Jacques Rougeau & Carl Ouelette (w/ Col. Rob Parker) at 4:06 when Booker pinned Rougeau with the Heat Bomb after Oulette accidentally hit Rougeau with the flagpole behind the referee's backLex Luger defeated Meng at 4:51 when a dazed referee Mark Curtis called for the bell after Luger put an interfering Barbarian in the Torture Rack

2003 - WWE broadcast Raw in Phoenix, Arizona with the following results:Rico, Rosey, Jamal, & Batista (w/ Ric Flair, Eric Bischoff, & Chief Morley) defeated the Dudley Boyz in a No DQ match at 4:27 after Flair interfered; after the bout, William Regal and Lance Storm further brutalized the Dudleyz as payback for losing a match to Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler two weeks priorWWE Women's Champion Victoria (w/ Steven Richards) & Molly Holly defeated Trish Stratus & Jackie at 3:04 when Victoria pinned Trish by using the tights for leverage after Steven Richards interfered and reversed a roll up Trish had on VictoriaLance Storm & William Regal defeated WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Booker T & Goldust to win the titles at 14:14 when Storm pinned Booker after Regal hit Booker with a pair of brass knuckles; late in the contest, Chief Morley made himself special referee for the bout and counted the pinfall after preventing referee Nick Patrick from making a count on the challengersTest (w/ Stacy Keibler) defeated Christopher Nowinski at 2:03Rob Van Dam & Kane (w/ Shawn Michaels) defeated Chris Jericho & Christian (w/ Randy Orton) at 7:09 when Kane pinned Christian following the chokeslam / Five Star Frog Splash combo

2004 - WWE taped Smackdown in Huntsville, Alabama with the following results:Chris Benoit defeated Johnny Stamboli (#1), Chuck Palumbo (#2), & Nunzio (#3) in a mini Royal Rumble match at 6:21; Benoit eliminated Stamboli at 3:09 with a baseball slide as Stamboli was on the ring apron; Benoit eliminated Nunzio at 5:14 as Nunzio tried to save Palumbo's elimination; Benoit eliminated PalumboRikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty fought WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Doug & Danny Basham (w/ Shaniqua) to a no contest when the champions attacked the challengers from behind before the bout, double teaming them and hitting them with the title belts; moments thereafter, Kurt Angle came out and announced that he and Paul Heyman came up with a substitute pair of challengers for the Bashams to defend against later in the night - Eddie & Chavo Guerrero Jr.WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Doug & Danny Basham (w/ Shaniqua) defeated Eddie & Chavo Guerrero Jr. at 16:22 when Doug reversed an attempt by Chavo for a sunset flip into the ring, holding onto Shaniqua for leverage; after the bout, Eddie sustained a brutal double team inside the ring while Chavo sat at ringside and watched; after the champions left ringside, Chavo helped his uncle to his feet before punching him to the mat and pummeling him until Eddie became busted open; moments thereafter, Chavo drove off in Eddie's low riderJohn Cena pinned Albert with the FU at 2:50WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Akio (w/ Sakoda) at 4:37 with the West Coast Pop after hitting a double 619 on Akio and SakodaTajiri pinned Nidia (sub. for a missing Jamie Noble) at 1:05 with a Russian legsweep; after the bout, Rey Mysterio Jr. made the save for the blind Nidia; moments later, as Mysterio was walking Nidia back, Noble appeared, threw Mysterio out of the way, and helped Nidia backstageHardcore Holly defeated WWE US Champion the Big Show in a non-title streetfight at 4:55 when Holly wrapped a steel chair around Show's neck and began choking him until Show tapped out; after the bout, Holly had a staredown with Brock Lesnar, the guest commentator for the match, before chasing him into the crowd with the chair

2006 - www.BlackAthlete.net named ECW World champion Bobby Lashley its 2006 Wrestler of the Year.

This event was originally scheduled as a Raw house show in September but was changed three days before tickets went on sale back in August.

The WWE made their first appearance in a year and a half in Terre Haute, Indiana on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Hulman Center, before an estimated attendance of 2,800.

Before the first match, the lights were dimmed for Teddy Long's entrance. With the lights down, Boogeyman was brought to ringside under a black sheet and stationed under the ring, where he'd have to stay for over an hour before appearing in front of the crowd.

1. US title: Chris Benoit made Chavo Guerrero submit.

2. Deuce & Domino w/Cherry defeated Funaki & Jimmy Wang Yang when Deuce pinned Funaki. It's rare for heels to win in small markets that WWE visits annually (or less). Of course, the fans were not familiar with the team from OVW. Deuce & Domino are much like the Hearthrobs from two years ago, in that they are being brought up from developmental too early and are placed in sexually suggestive positions for comedy in their matches.

3. CM Punk made Matt Striker submit. Stiker did a lot of mic work prior to match, welcoming everyone to Terra Rizing, Indiana. He then stated that he was only joking, because "that was the name of a handsome wrestler from several years ago." He also ragged on what the name Terre Haute meant. In French, he knew that it meant "high land." He also said that it represented the crystal meth capital of the USA. I doubt if he realized that this city is known as the state capital for that distinction. He also said that it was the prositution capital of the state (and that he was a virgin). Perhaps Striker checked on the history of Terre Haute, as it was known for that distinction back in the 1920s.

4. Davairi w/ Great Kali pinned Tommy Dreamer with his feet on the ropes. One fan sitting near me was sure that Tommy Dreamer used to wrestle as the Brooklyn Brawler. Tommy would enjoy hearing that. Same fan thought that a couple of the refs were former wrestlers. Nick Patrick and Scott Armstrong were refs here, but those weren't the two that he swore were ex-wrestlers. Mickey Jay was one that he thought wrestled previously.

5. RVD pinned Hardcore Holly. Two front-row fans were tossed from the building for touching Holly, even though they only patted him on the back. Holly told security to throw them out after he challenged them to touch him again.

6. The Miz hosted a diva bikini contest between Ashley, Rebecca, Kelly Kelly, and Crystal. The fans' applause was to determine the winner. It was pretty even amoung Ashley, Rebecca, and Kelly, but Crystal received the least applause since she's a heel. Miz declared Crystal the winner, which led to the lights going out and the emergence of Boogeyman from under the ring. Miz was attacked and subjected to the worm treatment.

7. In a handicap match, Kane won by disqualification over Mr. Kennedy & MVP. Kennedy handled MVP's introduction, which included his delayed/echo announcement of the last name, hence Porter was intro'd as M...V...P... ... ...Pee. Heels were DQ'd for low blows, but Kane cleaned house on both post-match.

8. ECW title: Lashley pinned Test. The sign guy from Texas (the one who wears the red hat and mechanic's shirt that was featured on Confidential a few years back) was at ringside, with a sign that read "The best body chemicals can buy" with a large needle being injected into a photo of Test. When Test saw it he laughed. I should also note that the sign guy had a sign for Holly, reading "I hope you got some talent for Christmas." Holly ended up spitting a mouthful of water into the sign guy's face for that one.

9. World title: Batista pinned Finlay in a long match, dominated by Finlay, and included a spot with the Little Bastard. Finlay was able to stir up some old school heat before Batista even his appearance, and had a husband and wife "traditional" wrestling fan trying to come over the barricade after him.

2006 - OVW ran the Lincoln County Community Center in Cincinnati, OH before 100 fans. Mike Giralico filed the following live report:

Boris Alexiev (w/ Stronko) submitted Dupe Ruppa - The Belgian Brawler to the Wheel Of Steel arm bar. Not a usual Boris squash. Boris tried for a cross arm breaker and a couple of kimuras early on Ruppa. Boris also showed off some Judo throws. Ruppa got a brief flurry of offense but fell to the standing arm bar.

Jake Hagar defeated Atlas DaBone with a small package. This match was short like 1:00 thereabouts. Hagar came out in Sooners wrestling gear and has the build of a collegiate wrestler. He tried a test of strength with DaBone which he won, then as DaBone tried some offense Hagar just rolled him up for the win.

Rene Dupree (w/ Maryse) pinned Sinn. Dupree worked face this night leading the crowd in "This Guy Sucks" chants directed at Sinn. Sinn focused his work on Dupree's back with Irish Whips, elbows and slams. Sinn gained a near fall but out of frustration chased Maryse. Maryse lead Sinn back into the ring where Dupree greeted Sinn with a springing elbow. Durpee followed up with a power slam and a spine buster for the win.

Idol Stevens defeated Steve Lewington. The way the venue was set up, the wrestlers had to enter through the same doors that the fans paid admission. As Idol was being introduced a late arriving family was trying to pay when Idol found his way blocked by them. He tried to get them to hand him the money directly then shooed them away from him. Match started out with Lewington gaining the upper hand no matter what Idol tried. Lewington would dodge whatever offense Idol generated. Finally Idol got Lewington to the outside and wrapped him in the apron to focus on Lewington's back. Idol drags him back into the ring and tries for a double chicken wing type submission. Lewington gets an arm free and elbows out. Lewington then hit a shoulder block and a standing senton for two. Idol springs up and tries a moonsault from the middle rope but misses. Comes right back and hits the Idolizer for the win.

The Ox & The Hammer (w/ Kenny Bolin) defeated High Dosage. This is going to get confusing with Bolin and Bolen involved here. Kenny Bolin cut a promo stating yes the internet rumors were true, he had been hospitalized. However "he rose from his deathbed" to verify that Cincy is a town of losers. He then proceeded to document the performances of every local sports franchise. Bolin stated that even though his doctors told him not to manage for 6 months he had to get in his limo and see how far Cincy had sunk himself. (I though he was joking about the limo but always one to take his gimmick to the max, when the show was over I saw the limo myself.) For the match itself, Ox & Hammer isolated Reeves early and had him pretty worn down until Hammer went for a lariat and Reeves countered with one of his own. Reeves finally got the hot tag to John Bolen which lead to Kenny Bolin distracting the ref. Ox exposed a turnbuckle and gets Bolin's briefcase. He swings for John Bolen and misses so the wrecking ball shoves Ox into the exposed turnbuckle and covers him behind the ref's back. The Hammer then gets the briefcase and lays out Bolen allowing the Ox to get the pin fall.

Katie Lea & Victoria Crawford defeated Beth Phoenix & The ODB. Katie Lea showed off the new OVW Women's belt which is finally not just an altered version of an old WWE belt. It's nice if not a tad large for the petite Lea. ODB and Phoenix wasted little time isolating Victoria. They focused on her ribs and chest. There were quite a few chest spots in this match for some reason. ODB locked in a full nelson on Victoria near Beth and as Beth charged with a lariat Victoria slipped out and ODB was laid out. This opened the door to tagging in Katie Lea and all 4 women were in the ring. Beth and Victoria went to the floor and Katie Lea hit her Kat-Nip neck-breaker into a back-breaker finisher on ODB for the win.

Rombola defeated Johnny Punch (w/ Melody). I'm gonna be honest before beginning this review I wasnt expecting much from this match. However I was very surprised by the work I saw in this match. No match of the night mind you but a solid contest none the less. Punch stalled early but Rombola finally got his hands on him and went into some fast mat work. Rombola with a standing roll up on Punch get thrown forward as Punch kicks out and lands head first on Melody's guitar as she shielded herself form the flying Rombola. Punch then works over the neck of Rombola but Rombola comes back. Rombola tries for a flying cross-body but Punch pulls the ref into the path. Rombola then hits a sit out power bomb on Punch. Melody enters the ring and gets the same for her troubles. Rombola finally hits the flying cross-body on Punch for the win. Good job all around here.

Jack Bull defeated Daniel Rodimer. So this was my first look at the highly lauded (by Stephanie McMahon) Rodimer. OK so this guy has the look I will completely hand that to him. Now I also understand he has only been working about 5 months so I have to give him a learning curve grade when it comes to in ring work. Rodimer is tall at least 6-6, he showed some flashes of mobility while bumping. His offense however for the moment consists simply (at least on this night) of punch, kick, slam, elbow drop. This guy shouldn't be rushed to prime time, please give this kid some time to develop, thus the term DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM. We'll see where this kid goes as time progresses. In the match itself, Bull sold well for the kid. Finally though he dodged the standing elbow drops from Rodimer and grabbed his flask took a swig and then "Hulked up" as Rodimer threw punches at him. Bull then hit two inverted atomic drops and tried for a DDT only to get shoulder blocked into the corner. Bull took another swig from his flask and misted Rodimer for a roll up pin fall. Post match Rodimer attacked Bull but Idol made the save.

The collective TV Champion(s) Bad Kompany defeated Seth Skyfire & Cody Runnels & Shawn Spears. This was a comedy affair, they opened the match with the faces causing the Blind Seed to attack his own partners repeatedly. Finally Kruel and Kraven kept Osbourne out long enough to isolate Seth. They pounded Seth mercilessly in their corner until finally Seth manages to get away from Blind Seed and tag Spears. Seth then chases Blind Seed out of the building and Shawn puts the sharpshooter on Kruel but the ref misses the tap out. Roucka then "distracts" Spears and Kraven hits Spears from behind with the cane for the win. I wonder if the cane is Mr Fuji approved?

Paul Birchall retained his OVW Southern Heavyweight Championship over Chett The Jett Jablonski and Jacob Duncan in a three-way. Chett and Duncan tried to take out Birchall early but that soon deteriorated when it came time to pin Birchall. Birchall then dispatched Duncan and focused on Chett. Chett hit an extended vertical suplex on Birchall but Duncan broke up the pin. Chett is thrown out of the ring and Duncan focuses on Birchall's back. Duncan hit a suplex from the middle rope and Chett breaks up the fall. Birchall then attacks both Duncan and Chett but Duncan hits the F-5 on Burchall for 2. Chett then Spears Duncan, Duncan comes back and choke slams Chett only to find himself falling victim to Birchall's swinging neck breaker for the pin fall. Post-match Chett lays out Birchall

2005 - TNA star Hector Garza (Hector Solano Segura) was arrested in Houston, Texas on charges of possession of a controlled substance, which according to Mexican newspaper El Norte were anabolic steroids Primobolan and Deca-Durabolin, which is used to regenerate injuries and to fortify muscle tissue. Garza, on his way to the TNA Impact! tapings in Orlando, Florida, was detained by Immigration agents at the IAH Houston Airport. Garza was placed under arrest and appeared in court yesterday in Houston. He is currently being held in a Harris County, Texas jail.Garza’s brother Humberto told El Norte that the steroids were prescribed by a local doctor in Mexico, who overnighted the proof to the Mexican Consulate in Houston, so it can be turned into the court in Garza's defense. Humberto stated that Garza was being counseled by a personal attorney, while TNA was sending one as well. Garza’s bail was set at $1,000 but he was advised not to pay it for fear of being deported, which would destroy his Stateside career. Garza, billed as the leader of Team Mexico, recently returned to TNA. Under new booker Dusty Rhodes, he was expected to receive a healthy push and had main evented Impact! recently against Scott Hall. His problems caused rewrites at the TNA taping on Tuesday evening, where the wrestlers were told he had “travel issues.”When contacted for comment about Garza's arrest on Monday in Houston, Texas, TNA's Director of Public Relations Brad Bernstein made the following statement to PWInsider.com via email: "Hector Garza and his attorney are anxious to proceed with the case and prove Hector's innocence." Garza would eventually be deported from the country and has yet to work in the United States since.

2005 - Former Smoky Mountain Wrestling regular and WWF enhancement talent Johnny Croitoru was arrested in Hamilton, Ontario Canada in the connection of the murder of Fred and Lyn Gilbank six years before. The Gilbanks were shot and killed in their home on Monday, November 16th, 1998 as they were sleeping. Fred Gilbank worked for IBM as a computer software specialist, while his wife was a practicing criminal defense attorney. Croitoru was arrested by Hamilton police without incident, several weeks after a public plea to anyone who may have been implicated in a lesser role in the crime to step forth and help authorities. Croitoru was referred to as the former leader of local motorcycle gang Satan's Choice. His arrest was the lead story on the Global News in Hamilton, which noted his time working as Johnny K-9. Croitoru, a Hamilton native, broke into the business working for several Canadian groups including Stampede Wrestling and the old Grand Prix promotion run by Emile Dupre, using the ring names Orhan Turgedan and The Terrible Turk. He also worked tours with FMW, WAR, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, but is likely best known for his enhancement stint working under the ring name Johnny K-9 for the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, doing jobs for the major babyfaces of the era like Hulk Hogan and the Junkyard Dog.It was in Smoky Mountain Wrestling that he had his last real run of note in the early 1990s, using the ring name Bruiser Bedlam, where he was managed by Jim Cornette and given a huge heel push during the latter part of that promotion's run. Croitoru held the promotion's "Beat the Champ" TV title during his 18-month run there. Croitoru has had numerous run-ins with the Canadian police before, including a seven month prison stint for a 1991 assault. He also served a 10 month sentence after being convicted of trafficking cocaine as well. Croitoru has publicly denied any links to The Satan's Choice bike gang. Charges would eventually be dropped but Croitoru would have additional charges filed against him.

2006 - WWE released Juventud Guerrera.

2008 - Mickey Rourke appeared at a World Xtreme Wrestling event in Allentown, PA, filming "The Wrestler" for a scene where Randy the Ram wrestled Tommy Noxious, technically the "in ring debut" of the character. Rourke would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for the film.

2008 - During a pre-show meeting at the Final Resolution PPV, TNA's Terry Taylor informed the wrestlers that the company would institute drug testing at the 1/21-1/22 Impact tapings in Orlando, Florida. There was no discussion of punishment for offenses, just that the baseline testing would be taking place.

2008 - On the ECW website, Joey Styles named Stevie Richards his "Most Extreme Player" for the year of 2007, looking at the rash of recent surgeries Richards has undergone in the last several months to get full range of his breathing passages and vocal cords back. Styles went into the background in long detail (and I suggest everyone check it out) but Richards has been suffering from issues with his voice for years stemming from a May 1997 broken neck suffered in the original ECW during a frightening spot where Terry Funk dropped a guard rail on his neck in Buffalo, New York. Styles wrote, "I expect Stevie to return to the ring in early 2008 with little fanfare, if any. However, Stevie himself, his family and his close friends will know what he endured to once again resume his dream of being a WWE Superstar. Win or lose, every match is a personal victory for Stevie Richards."

2008 - TNA held their Final Resolution PPV in Orlando, Florida. Here is Mike Johnson's original coverage of the show.

Welcome to the first PPV coverage of the New Year here on PWInsider.com!

TNA's Final Resolution 2008 opened with a video package for the show, followed by Mike Tenay and Don West wondering whether AJ Styles would side with Kurt Angle or Christian Cage tonight.

LAX vs. Jimmy Rave & Lance Hoyt (with Christy Hemme)

Hoyt and Homicide opened up with Homicide getting caught by Rave with a quick cradle. Homicide nailed a belly to belly overhead suplex, but was drilled into the corner. Hoyt tagged in and nailed him with a Fall away slam. Hernandez tagged in and faced off with Hoyt, which the crowd was into. They exchanged shoulderblocks against each other. Hernandez sent Hoyt out of the ring. Homicide attempted a tope con hilo but was cut off by Rave, so Hernandez hit a running dive out of the ring on Hoyt instead. The crowd was super hot for LAX.

LAX worked over Rave in the corner. Homicide nailed him with a dropkick to the face. They nailed Rave with a catapult combination that ended with Rave laid out over Hernandez' knees, complete with Homicide hitting a senton back splash across Rave's chest. Hoyt returned to the ring and slammed Homicide with a faceplant. Homicide fought back against both but was cut off with an inverted atomic drop. Hoyt nailed Homicide with a big boot to the face.

Homicide ducked under a double clothesline, setting up Hernandez hitting a springboard double clothesline into the ring on Hoyt and Rave. Hernandez catches Rave in mid-air and drilled him with a sit down powerbomb. Hernandez charged Hoyt but was caught with an elbow. Hoyt nailed a moonsault, but was caught with head scissors by Homicide. Homicide finally caught the tope con hilo to the outside.

Hernandez picked up Rave for a powerbomb, but Christy Hemme interfered, pulling Rave back down. Rave caught him with a knee to the gut and began working him over in the corner with punches. Rave went to the top but was shoved off and Rave crotched himself between the pole and turnbuckle. The female member of LAX stalked around at ringside. Hernandez set up Rave and nailed a Border Toss off the ropes for the pin on Rave.

Hernandez was attacked from behind by Hernandez. The female member went after Hoyt and lowblowed him. Christy went after her and was laid out. The female member finally unveiled herself as Shelley Martinez, formerly Ariel in ECW. Holy crap, she looked hot.

A really hot opener with everyone working hard. Good stuff. The crowd was really alive for the match since they love everything LAX does and let's hope this is the start of a new run for the team as it's blatantly obvious the audience loves them and wants to see them pushed. Hoyt and Rave had one of their better showing ever here as well.

We went to footage from "last night" from part one of the Drinking Championship Series between Eric Young and James Storm. Jeremy Borash and Crystal were the witnesses. They did a deal where James Storm won a contest where he got to take a drink anytime Eric Young said something that he had never done, but Storm had. Those things included going to the moon, killing a lion with his bare hands and being responsible for riots in Detroit in 1967. I didn't think it was funny, but that's just me.

Mike Tenay and Don West ran down the remainder of the lineup.

Backstage, Crystal tried to get comments from AJ Styles on whether he was siding with Kurt Angle or Christian Cage tonight. Styles said that he promised he would make a decision tonight, but the night wasn't over, so he still has time to think. Tomko told Styles he was completely wrong and was out of time because they have a title match with Kevin Nash and Samoa Joe tonight. Tomko said that he needs to make his suggestion sooner rather than later and if he screwed up tonight, his problems were going to be huge. Crystal asked again for a decision and Styles said he would let her know sooner or later.

They aired a video feature on Black Reign vs. Kaz.

Black Reign vs. Kaz.

As soon as Kaz hit the ring, he went right after Reign. He nailed Reign with a series of rights, then hit a springboard back elbow. He whipped Reign into the ropes, but Reign pulled himself out of the ring. Kaz followed and hit a running clothesline off the apron to the floor. He went to whip Reign, who reversed it, sending Kaz into the railing. Reign charged Kaz, who moved out of the way. Kaz kicked him onto the entrance ramp. Kaz followed him up the ramp, kicking him in the rear. Reign nailed a mule kick low from behind. He nailed a running kneelift, sending Kaz off the ramp to the floor. They said Kaz caught his hip on the corner of the stage.

Reign dragged Kaz back into the ringside area. Reign pulled Kaz through the ropes and nailed a neckbreaker. He then punched Kaz with a right, sending him down. He nailed an elbow and locked in a side chinlock. Kaz began battling out with elbows but put his head down and Reign caught him with a dropdown uppercut.

Reign began choking Kaz. He snapmared Kaz to the mat, then cinched in a rear chinlock. Kaz got to his feet as the crowd rallied him and began nailing punches to the gut, but was cut off. Reign nailed him in the jaw and covered him for a two count. Reign went back to the chinlock.

Reign missed a clothesline and was caught with a high cross bodyblock. The referee began to count both men down on the mat, but they returned to their feet at the count of eight. Kaz ducked a punch and nailed several kicks. Kaz drilled Reign with a spinning neckbreaker but Reign kicked up at two. Kaz avoided a Reign charge in the corner and hit a slingshot DDT for another two count.

Reign moved to avoid a legdrop and hit the Lights Out, but Kaz got his shoulder up at the last moment. Reign went for another, but Kaz got to his feet and nails the twisting DDT for the clean pin.

Your winner, Kaz!

Decent match. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary but it was solid.

After the match, Reign began coddling the cage holding his rat. Kaz took the cage and walked out with it. Reign began screaming that he wanted it back. Mike Tenay said, "Kaz is leaving Final Resolution with the rat."

Backstage, Jeremy Borash was telling Kurt Angle that after all they had done for AJ Styles, he still hadn't sided with Angle. Kurt questioned Borash for saying "we" and told him, "There's you and there's me and my wife. You are an interviewer." Angle then asked Borash for advice, but Karen cut them off and said they are going to do whatever they do during a time like this. She told Angle to worry about the match and she was going to take care of business. He said that every time Karen tries to take care of business, she gets them in trouble. She leaves and Angle tells Borash to follow Karen. Karen didn't seem to be wearing a cast, by the way. It was the usual type of silliness involving the Angles and Borash.

They aired a video feature on the TNA Knockouts title bout.

TNA Women's champion Gail. Kim vs. Awesome Kong - No DQ

I sure hope this is as fun as last month.

Kong charged Kim as she was on the apron, but Kim jumped down. Kim grabbed Kong's ankle and pulled her to the floor. They started brawling on the floor. Kong drilled her with a clothesline on the floor, then cleared the announcer's table. She teased a powerbomb on the table, but Kim fought back with a kick. Kong tossed Kim into the ring and smothered her with a boot to the throat. Kong snaps Kim across the mat by the hair, then choked her with a boot to the chin.

The announcers said an associate of Kong's from Japan was in attendance, according to rumors. Kong continued to work over Kim, who fought back with elbows. Kim tried to come off the ropes but was nailed with a spinning back fist. Kim fell backwards over the ropes, hanging upside down, before being shoved to the floor. Kim grabbed at her knee. Kong followed her to the floor.

Kong dragged her around ringside, but Kim began fighting back. Kong just slapped her down. Kong followed her around the ring, stalking her prey. She picked up Kim by the legs and swung her into the guard rails headfirst.

They brawled in the crowd. Kim fought back but was tossed onto the steps of the bleachers. Kong dragged her into the bleachers and choked her throat. Kim continued to fight back. She grabbed a plastic bottle from a fan and began beating Kong with it. Kong tossed her down the stairs to the floor. Kim fights back and dumps Kong over the railing back into the ringside area.

Kim grabs Kong with a hammerlock, then runs her shoulder into the ringpost. Kong just shakes it off and slaps down Kim. She rolls Kim into the ring and beats her down. Kong grabs a chair and drills it down but Kim moves and Kong slaps herself with it. With Kong dazed on the floor, Kim went to the top rope and dove off. Kong still caught her and tossed her into the ring. Kong beats Kim down with a punch to the back.

Kong grabbed Kim by the hair and beat her with a series of back fists. Kong went for a powerbomb, but Kim rolled out of the way to the mat. Kong went for a sitdown splash but missed. Kim avoided a charge in the corner. Kim came off the top but was caught. Kong nailed an inverted sitdown powerbomb, but Kim kicked out at the last second. Some in the crowd booed that, believing it was the finish.

Kong wasn't happy with the referee's count and powerbombed Slick Johnson. Kong went to the floor and got a chair, then nailed Johnson with it. Kim grabbed the chair and began beating Kong in the head with it. Kim went to the top and nailed a splash off the top, but the referee was out. Kim called for a second referee and Rudy Charles hit the ring. He counted, but Kong kicked up at the last second.

Kong nailed a chokeslam on Kim, who kicked up. Kong grabbed Charles and went to powerbomb him but Kim rolled up Kong, who crashed backwards with Charles atop of her. Charles counted three and Gail Kim got the victory.

Brutal, fun and a unique finish. This was officially the first great match of TNA for 2008.

Kong tried to go after Kim after the match but security and some of the other Knockouts hit the ring to separate them. The crowd chanted "TNA."

Backstage, Jeremy Borash followed Karen Angle into the men's room as she was looking for AJ Styles. He was there. She offered to relieve him of his tension and tried coming onto him. ODB came out of the stall after flushing the toilet, saying they should light a match. Ugh. Karen walked off and Styles was in awe that she liked him, she really liked him. I'm not liking any of the vignettes tonight.

They aired a video piece on Abyss vs. Judas Mesias.

Crystal interviewed Jim Mitchell. She asked him if he was going to reveal the secret tonight to the world. Mitchell said that the secret was one for Abyss to reveal and it was going to change the landscape of TNA. Mitchell says that tonight could be the night that Mesias tortures Abyss into revealing the secret. He said that Abyss was doomed to burn in hell if he didn't tell the truth. Typical good promo from Mitchell.

Abyss vs. Judas Mesias

Abyss and Mesias brawled around the ring. Mesias chopped him in the corner. Abyss reversed a whip into the corner but was caught with an elbow. Abyss nailed a clothesline, but Mesias came right back. Abyss pressed and dropped Mesias. Abyss clotheslined Mesias over the top to the floor.

Abyss followed him outside the ring and slammed him into the ringsteps. They brawled around ringside with Mesias being tossed into the steps. It was nothing compared to Kim and Kong. Mesias slammed Abyss' legs into a ringpost. He teased tying his legs to the post with the chain but the referee stopped him. Mesias began working over Abyss' knee.

He followed Abyss around the ring, kicking at the knee and nailing shots to the head. He leaped up for a faceplant but Abyss grabbed him with a chokeslam, then fell to the mat. Abyss went under the mat looking for something but the cameras showed Jim Mitchell had grabbed Abyss' sack of tacks. Abyss chased him up the rampway, allowed Mesias to clip his knee from behind.

Mesias shoved Abyss into the ring steps and Abyss fell over them. Mesias came off the top with a double axehandle but was caught with a chokeslam. Abyss hits a running charge into the corner, then nails a second back splash into Mesias' face. Abyss nails a sideslam for a two count. Abyss went to the floor and grabbed a chair. The referee tried to tell Abyss to stop but he ignored it, wedging the chair in between the top and middle turnbuckle. The referee tried to remove it but failed. Hey ref, how about DQing him then?

Mesias took over on Abyss. Abyss tried to run him into the chair and Mesias avoided it. Abyss kicked him low, then slammed him into the chair. Still no DQ. Abyss nailed the chokeslam, but Mesias kicked up at two. Abyss went outside looking for something. The cameras showed another bag brought out by Mitchell. Abyss produced a chair wrapped in barbed wire. The referee took it away and put it outside of the ring, taking forever. Mesias used the distraction to nail Abyss with a chair to the head, then nailed a frog splash for a two count.

Mesias began working over Abyss who came back with a Black Hole Slam. Jim Mitchell distracted the referee. Abyss grabbed Mitchell by the throat, then grabbed Mesias as well. Mesias blew mist in Abyss' head then nailed his drill DDT into the barbed wire chair. Abyss was bleeding as Mesias scored the pin.

Your winner, Judas Mesias!

OK brawl but they couldn't follow the women, even with the weapons. As a set up match for Barbed Wire Massacre, it was fine.

Mitchell told Mesias to grab Abyss and asked him if he was ready to tell the truth. Abyss refused. He said they he was a man of his word and promised Abyss he would burn in hell. He pulled out a gas can and they poured it over Abyss. Mitchell teased lighting a match but security came to the ring and took them away, then left Mitchell and Mesias standing over the fallen Abyss. It seemed silly for security to save Abyss and then leave him in the ring. Unless they are building to a fire gimmick match, this makes no sense.

Crystal interviewed Kevin Nash. Nash said that the professional wrestling world was crazy and nothing was for sure. He said he and Joe both know that anything can happen and usually does. Crystal asked him what that means. Nash said that it means he will do what he usually does - put asses in seats, win championship belts and make a ton of money. Well, he knows how to make a ton of money, I will certainly give him that.

They aired a video feature on the mixed tag.

Crystal interviewed Booker T and Sharmell. Booker said she's not a wrestler, but she gets what she wants because she is his queen. He said that Robert Roode has to deal with Sharmell's alley cat side tonight. Sharmell said she would do her talking in the ring.

Booker T & Sharmell vs. Robert Roode & Ms. Brooks

They showed Robert Roode's "fan" in the crowd. Mike Tenay, talking about Booker being signed, said, "You know TNA management will do everything they can to improve the TNA product." Yep, he said that.

Roode backed off and walked out of the ring when Booker advanced on him. They finally locked up and Roode raked Booker's eyes. Booker came back with chops and punches in the corner on Roode. Roode whips Booker into the corner but Booker floats over and continues the chop assault.

Booker suplexed Roode, but Roode landed on his feet, then kicked Booker in the gut. He choked Booker by shoving him over the ropes. Booker came back with a series of kicks, but Roode caught him with a DDT for a two count. Roode nails Booker in the head with a series of knees, then dropkicks Booker down for a two count.

The crowd chanted for Booker. Roode tossed Booker into his corner but Ms. Brooks refused to take advantage. He berated Brooks. He whipped Booker and Brooks tripped Booker, but was upset with herself that she did. Brooks had some good facial expressions. Roode works over Booker's knee and cinches in a rear chinlock, using a knee to apply pressure to the back.

Booker made a comeback, but missed a spinkick and crotched himself on the ropes. Booker fell to the floor and Roode slammed him into the apron. He tossed Booker back into the ring and went back to the rear chinlock. Booker finally made a comeback, fighting off Roode with elbows. He whipped Bobby into the corner, but Roode missed a charge. Roode hit a Blockbuster off the ropes but Booker kicked up at the last second.

Roode made Brooks slap Booker. He tried to get her to do it again and she refused. He grabbed her, which the referee said was a tag. Brooks entered the ring and was speared and attacked by Sharmell. Roode grabbed Sharmell to allow Brooks to get control, then attacked Booker on the floor.

Brooks whipped Sharmell into the ropes and Roode grabbed her leg. Sharmell kicked him off but was rolled up by Brooks. Brooks was kicked off and clunked heads with Roode, then was rolled up for the pin by Sharmell.

Your winners, Booker T and Sharmell!

Roode and Brooks argued in the ring after the match. She finally slapped Roode, which the crowd loved. Roode tried to manhandle her, but Brooks kept fighting back. Sharmell hit the ring to grab Roode, but he turned around and punched her dead in the face. Everyone looked shocked. Booker came to the ring as Roode ran out shocked. Roode tried to say he didn't mean it. West left the commentary booth as Tenay immediately said that TNA wasn't going to accept anything like that. They teased Sharmell was knocked out as Booker cursed as Earl Hebner. They teased Roode broke her jaw.

Crystal interviewed Christian Cage. She said he could be the new champion tonight if he can defeat Kurt Angle and asked him if he had any help tonight. Cage said he never needed or will need any help. Cage said that he saw more potential in AJ Styles than anyone else and tried to give him tough love so he could approach his potential. Cage started ripping on Karen Angle for trying to seduce AJ, saying she was showing her age and that tonight she was going to have to explain why AJ finally realized where his loyalties lie. He promised that he would be the new TNA champion.

Mike Tenay and Don West said that Robert Roode went too far, accidental or not, and they would try to get an update on Sharmell later tonight.

They aired part two of the drinking contest where they had beer bottles taped to their hands and weren't allowed to leave the table until they were done drinking. It turned out James Storm peed himself, so Young won.

They aired a video feature on the Ultimate X match. As the Ultimate X was set up in the ring, Tenay and West reviewed the history behind the bout. They said Sharmell was taken to a local hospital with a jaw problem.

Brother Ray took the mic as they entered the ring. He said that the time has finally come for the Ultimate X match. He said that he and Devon have bene training for a very long time and are in the best shape of their career. Ray said he has the speed of a gazelle while Devon can move around like a black panther, then turned to Devon and said, "Oh my brother, power to the people." Ray said that Devine (who looks like Cassidy Riley's twin brother tonight) was made for a match like this.

Ray said that they are the best tag team that ever existed and are the greatest hardcore wrestler in the world. He then called Socal Val a two bit tramp and they are the masters of the table match. He said they are the masters of the TLC match and the best wrestlers the world has ever seen. He warned the referee that the X-Division wrestlers are "little cheating bastards" but was cut off by Jay Lethal's theme music before he could continue.

Lethal and The Guns hit the ring and everyone started brawling in the ring and outside of it. Sabin tossed Devon into the railing. Ray went after Alex Shelley's hands, playing off 3D caning the Guns' hands on Impact. 3D set up a table outside the ring. Alex Shelley tried to climb the ropes but failed. Chris Sabin had the same problem due to their problems. Lethal took out Devon and started to make his way across the ropes but Devine yanked him off the ropes and slammed him to the mat.

Devine climbed up to the cables but the Guns swung him and Devine crashed down in one of the sickest bumps I've seen in a long time. Ray clotheslined the Guns down. Ray tried to lift up Devon to grab the belt, but Ray's back gave way. Devon got on all fours but Ray was too heavy for him to stand on. Sabin dropkicks Devon to the floor. Ray grabbed him and tossed Sabin to the floor.

Ray tried to go across the cables but Jay Lethal climbed across and in front of him, taunting Ray before slipping off. Ray tried to make his way across but quickly slipped as he was too heavy. The crowd chanted, "You're too fat." Lethal tried to suplerplex Ray but was shoved off. Ray teased a top rope elbow but Lethal moved. He started across the cables but Devine pulled him down. Devine drilled Lethal's chest across his knees, then hit him with a curb stomp.

Devine started across the cables but was caught by Shelley who drags him down into an inverted atomic drop. Sabin nailed a DDT. Shelley went for a slingshot dive to the floor but Brother Ray moved and nailed Shelley's hands with the Singapore Cane. They took out Sabin with the cane. Devon tried to get on Ray's shoulders so Ray could walk under him as he propelled across the ropes. Lethal dropkicked Ray, then dove off the ropes to pull Devon off with a powerbomb variation.

Ray put Devine on his shoulders but Lethal jumped off the cables with an inverted frankensteiner. Ray drilled Lethal with a monster clothesline. Shelley accidentally took out the referee and was taken down by Ray. Ray pulled out a ladder match. Mike Tenay said there was an unwritten rule of pride ion the X-Division to never use a ladder in the Ultimate X but 3D were ignoring that.

The Guns return to hit stereo enziguiris but Devine caned them down. Devine set up the ladder and started climbing up. Sabin tipped the ladder and Devine bumped off the ladder onto the tables outside the ring, which didn't budge. He bounced off them to the floor. 3D nailed Sabin with 3D. Lethal tried to come off the ropes but was drilled with the ladder in mid-air.

3D started to climb the ladder. Devon unhooked the belt and put it over his shoulder. Ray removed the ladder and once the referee saw Devon hanging, he called for the bell. Tenay called the finish the low point of the X-Division. West said it was a mockery.

Your winners, Team 3D & Johnny Devine!

I actually have no problem with the finish as it makes sense that 3D would want to mock the X-Division as they stole a victory. There was a lot of good bumps and everyone worked hard. 3D even mocked themselves with the spots poking fun at their girth early as well. Entertaining match, but not at the level of any previous UX match. It was more storyline stuff with a few big bumps, as opposed to full throttle insane stunts.

Crystal interviewed Samoa Joe, saying that while he and Kevin Nash didn't get off on the right foot, now they seemed to be on solid ground. Joe said they started off on the worst foot they possibly could. He said that maybe he was wrong about Nash and possibly even about Scott Hall. Joe said he and Nash have been training and he learned a few things that he didn't know about mind games and he thanked Nash for that. He told Tomko and Styles not to let their personal issues get in the way because Joe and Nash were coming to take their belts and destroy them. Joe said that maybe, just maybe, the old guard and the new guard would be champions.

TNA Tag Team champions AJ Styles & Tomko vs. Samoa Joe & Kevin Nash

Before the match, they said that TNA fears Sharmell suffered a broken jaw.

Styles and Joe started off. Every time they locked up, Joe smooshed him in the face. Joe grabbed Styles with a body scissors into a leglock, then tagged Nash. Nash hit AJ with an elbow to the head. Nash beeled AJ out of the corner. Styles ducked a pair of clotheslines and dropkicked Nash in the knee. Styles was kicked off, so Tomko tagged himself in. Nash snapped Tomko into the turnbuckle. Nash drilled Tomko in the corner with several knees.

Nash catches Tomko with a sideslam for a two count. Joe tagged in and they cleaned house on the champions. Joe fed Tomko into a big boot by Nash. Joe hit an overhead T-Bone suplex by Joe, but Styles hit a springboard dropkick to Joe to break up the pin. Tomko choked Joe.

Tomko chopped away at Joe in the corner. AJ began nailing Joe with punches. Joe fought back but Styles drilled him with a dropkick as Joe rebounded off the ropes. Styles and Tomko tagged in and out. Tomko nailed a short arm clothesline for a two count. Tomko drills Joe with a back elbow for a two count. Tomko and Styles continued to work over Joe.

AJ locked on a Muta Death Lock. Tomko nailed several chops and a DDT. Joe and Styles exchanged forearms. Styles teased going for the Pele Kick but Joe punched him in the face. Tomko nailed Joe from behind. That set up an AJ springboard move but Joe caught AJ and powerbombed him down. Tomko knocked Nash off the apron and charged Joe but was caught with a powerslam.

Joe went to tag Nash, who dropped off the apron and walked off. Styles and Tomko went for their finisher but Joe countered and DDT'd Nash. Joe laid out Styles, then set up the muscle buster on Tomko. Styles nailed Joe from behind. Joe caught him with an uranage. Joe nailed Styles with the muscle buster but Tomko dove onto Joe and broke the pin. The crowd chanted, "Thank you Tomko."

Joe applied the choke on Tomko but Tomko fell backwards. Joe almost fell out of the ring but pulled himself in. Joe was nailed with the Pele Kick. They drilled Joe with their finisher and scored the pin.

Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions AJ Styles and Tomko!

Well TNA had Nash turn on Joe without ever putting the belts on them, which is fine with me. The match was OK, but below the notch of what you expect from Joe because it was all about the Nash storyline. Once Nash exited, it was good stuff all the way to the end. Interesting to hear such a pro-Styles and Tomko crowd though.

The final part of the drinking contest saw them doing shots. Borash pulled out the "He's gonna puke" line from Beyond the Mat. Storm spiked Young's drink so he would win. Storm gets to pick his match at the next PPV.

Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champion Kurt Angle. He said that AJ didn't have a decision despite Karen Angle's best efforts. Angle didn't know what he was talking about, but was clued in. Kurt said that no one can resist Karen. Angle promised that Christian Cage's dreams of being TNA champion were going to be shattered tonight.

TNA champion Kurt Angle vs. Christian Cage

The crowd was pro-Christian, even bringing back the old "You Suck" chant at Angle. Angle grabbed Cage in a go behind and took him to the mat. Cage made his way back to his feet with a side headlock. Angle catches him and tried to suplex him but Cage escapes and goes for a a kick. Angle catches his leg and takes him down. He goes for an elbow but Cage escapes and they face off.

Angle took over on Cage and caught him with an elbow to the sternum. He took Cage over with a side headlock, but Cage made his way back to his feet. He leapfrogged over Angle, then tossed Angle to the floor. Angle kicked the ring steps in frustration. He returned to the ring and got in Cage's face. Angle slapped Cage, who spit in his face. Angle and Cage began unloading back and forth with blows and uppercuts. Cage got the better of it.

Angle tried to suplex Cage to the floor but Cage landed on the apron. Cage used the ropes for leverage and kicked Angle to the floor. Cage nailed a high cross bodyblock off the apron to the floor on Angle. Cage dove off the top but was caught by Angle and suplexed over the ropes to the floor.

Angle began kicking and stomping Cage. Angle catches Cage with a knee to the gut as he rebounds off the ropes. Angle worked over Cage on the mat, but Cage fought to his feet and nailed Angle with several elbows. Angle cut off Cage's momentum with a back suplex.

Cage rolled out to the floor. Karen Angle approached Cage and slapped him in the face. No sign of AJ yet, so he's being left for the finish it appears. Back in the ring, Angle scissors Cage's body with his legs as he applies a neck crank. Cage finally kicked off Angle. Cage locked in a sleeper hold, then snaps him down for a two count.

Angle takes over and nails a moonsault off the top, getting a two count. Angle stalked Cage as he returned to his feet and went for a suplex, but Cage reversed it into a DDT. Cage makes a comeback with a series of punches and chops, then drills him with an inverted DDT. Cage goes to the top, but misses a frog splash. Angle scored a two count.

Angle nailed a German suplex, then a second. Angle stalked behind Angle for a third. Cage floated over and went for the Unprettier, but Angle turned it into an ankle lock. Cage kicks off but Angle held on, Cage went for a small package but Angle turned it back into the submission hold. Cage rolled up Angle for another near fall. They battle in the corner. Cage goes to the top and Angle tries to lock on the ankle lock while Cage is on the top rope. Cage kicks him off but Angle returns to superplex him into the ring. Cage gets his shoulder up at two.

Angle goes back to the anklelock. Cage escapes and locks on the sharpshooter in the center of the ring. Angle grabs Cage by the ankle and goes back to the ankle lock. Cage grabs the ropes. He goes for the Unprettier but is caught with a back suplex for a two count. Cage goes back to the top rope but is caught and suplexed off. Cage nails the frog splash for a two count.

Angle ducked a clothesline and Christian almost nailed the referee. Angle low blowed Cage and hit the Olympic Slam but only got a two count. Karen got on the apron to argue with the referee. Cage nailed the Unprettier for a two count. Karen distracted Cage on the apron, but Cage reversed the takedown into an ankle lock of his own. Angle was tapping but the referee was distracted.

AJ came down to ringside and removed Karen from the apron, then got on the apron to face Cage. He hugged Cage and then hit a springboard forearm from behind. Angle hit the Olympic Slam on Cage and scored the pinfall.

Your winner and still TNA champion Kurt Angle!

The match was really good but I don't think anyone was shocked by Styles turning on Cage. A more shocking turn would have been AJ laying out Cage and Angle both, telling them to go to hell and walking out with Tomko as his own man. Instead, we got the swerve that wasn't a swerve because we all expected it. The match itself was really good as both Cage and Angle really turned it on.

2009 - ECW on SciFi cleared Mun2, airing Friday evenings. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with WWE with this new property,” says Alex Pels, General Manager for mun2 stated in a press release. “The popularity of WWE among young Latinos has prompted us to continue providing action-packed, WWE entertainment for our audience, all while building strategic partnerships for the network.”

2010 - WWE launched a pretty unique promotion designed to reward viewers who order the first three PPV presentations of 2010, which had been raised $5 in price. Fans who ordered the 2010 Royal Rumble PPV, the 2010 Elimination Chamber PPV and Wrestlemania 26 and send their cable bills in will be eligible to receive an official, limited edition Wrestlemania commemorative seat.

We open with a look back at last week as Mick Foley tried to look out for Ken Anderson's best interests and Matt Morgan informed Anderson that he would have no choice but to do what he had to do to beat Anderson at Genesis, and then when Morgan, perhaps accidentally, hit Anderson from behind with the discus clothesline.

We head into the Impact Zone where Immortal and Fortune are making their way into the ring for the opening promo. Guess who has the microphone? Easy E starts by wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and Genesis is in three days, and it's not the end of anything but the beginning of everything for Immortal and everyone else associated with TNA. He has put a bounty on every TNA title they don't have and put a lot of pressure on the members of Immortal to get them, but that's because he's a competitive person and he's not doing anything that wouldn't stand up to the scrutiny of a judge. Tonight is a night of champions, so right now he's going to introduce some important champions. He calls X-Division Champion Jay Lethal out to the ring and Lethal looks hesitant, but Bischoff assures him that, with judges and attorneys watching, he'll be fine if he gets in the ring. Next up are the TNA World Tag Team Champions, the Motor City Machine Guns. Everyone's getting entrance music and full entrances, by the way. Last up is TV Champion Douglas Williams. Bischoff thanks them for coming out here and tells that that they may have differences, but all of them earned those titles and he respects that. At Genesis, everyone is looking for nothing less than five star matches, and they want to make this one of the greatest PPVs ever because they all have what it takes to have great matches. In the interest of fairness, he's going to give them each the opportunity to sharpen their skills to ensure that they're at the top of their game come Genesis, so he's going to make some matches for them. Jay Lethal will take on Abyss, and he'll get to the Guns in a minute, but Williams is going to face Rob Terry. He gets back to the Guns, and they're going to face AJ Styles and Frankie Kazarian tonight. In the spirit of sportsmanship, he asks that everyone shake hands. The babyfaces seem to go for it and then Immortal beats them up 673-on-4 while Bischoff half-heartedly tells them that this is not what they had in mind and there will be fines. RVD's music hits and he runs out and almost singlehandedly clears the heels out of the ring. He gets a mic and tells Bischoff that he's just delaying the inevitable. He's ready to quit playing games once Bischoff is ready to put his champion in the ring with him, and then demands to know who his opponent will be at Genesis. Bischoff says he'll tell him when he's good and ready, but RVD says he's going to find out tonight even if he has to beat it out of Bischoff's manipulative ass. Bischoff threatens to send Abyss after him because he tore RVD apart once and he can do it again.

We go backstage to Brother Ray, who says he knows how bad Brother Devon wants to get his hands on him. Devon has been his lackey for 15 years, and he challenges Devon to meet him outside and settle it if he's man enough, bro.

We go to a video package detailing the history of the Double J MMA Challenge leading into Red bringing his "brother" to Impact last week to challenge Jarrett. Speaking of which...

Double J MMA Challenge

Jarrett says that after last week, he's had to make some changes to the Double J MMA Challenge because of the TNA legal department. If someone's going to take the challenge, they have to be his height or shorter because he doesn't want anyone to get seriously hurt. Also, the challenge is now just an exhibition, so no more real competitions because he doesn't want anyone to get seriously hurt. He has a contract in his hand and all someone has to do is come out and sign it, and then asks if there are any takers. He sees the kid from the Twilight movies out in the audience and asks if he'd like to take the challenge. Jarrett goes out to the floor and has Jeremy Borash check to see if he's taller than him, and indeed he meets the height requirement. Jarrett says he heard that he's in the junior black belt hall of fame, but then asks his dad, who is sitting next to Twilight Boy, to stand up. He does and Jarrett sees that he's taller than him and says that Twilight Boy will be taller than Jarrett one day so he's disqualified. Instead Jarrett picks what looks like Grizzly Redwood with a ponytail out of the crowd to come down and accept the challenge. His name is Jonathan Cruz from San Juan, Puerto Rico and now residing in Kissimmee, Florida. Jarrett starts to say something and instead catches him unawares with a series of kneestrikes to the chest, and Mr Cruz goes down. Jarrett rams fists into the back of Jonathan's head and then hooks in the anklelock and Cruz hangs on way longer than a non-wrestler ought to and then finally taps.

Winner: Jeff Jarrett

Jarrett won't release the anklelock even though the bell keeps ringing and ringing. Suddenly, Kurt Angle comes out of the crowd and rushes the ring and Jarrett heads for the hills. Jarrett yells at him and says that he's got no business being here, but Angle says that they're around the same height and since it's an exhibition, nobody's going to get hurt, right? And all Angle has to do is sign the contract and it's official for Genesis. Jarrett tells him he said he'd never wrestle again and to stick to his word. Angle said that's fine and he'll never wrestle again...only this isn't a wrestling match, it's an exhibition, right? So Angle does indeed sign the contract and he'll see Jarrett at Genesis.

We look back at moments ago when Angle signed the contract for an exhibition match with Jarrett at Genesis, and then we head to the ring for our next match...

They start fighting before the bell and the Guns toss Fortune to the floor and hit stereo dives to wipe Styles and Kazarian out. Shelley rams AJ into the ringpost and the apron and then tosses him back in the ring where the Guns hit a chain of double teams and Sabin gets a 1 on AJ. AJ goes to the eyes and hotshots Sabin off the top rope and goes after Shelley, and while the referee is distracted keeping Shelley out of the ring, Fortune hits a double team and AJ covers Sabin for 2. AJ charges Sabin and Sabin gets his boot up, Sabin tries to make the tag but AJ cuts him off and holds him in a side suplex for a slingshot legdrop by Kazarian. Kazarian sets Sabin in the corner and charges in with a splash and then goes for a second charge but runs into Sabin's boot and then Sabin lays him out with a charging clothesline. Sabin makes the hot tag and Shelley comes in and unloads on AJ, hitting an enziguiri and then slinging himself over the top rope onto Kazarian on the floor. AJ goes for the Chaos Theory on Shlley but Shelley blocks and goes for the Sliced Bread #2, AJ blocks that and goes for the moonsault/inverted DDT and Shelley blocks that and hits a brainbuster and goes for the cover but Kazarian saves. Kazarian charges Shelley and gets backdropped to the floor, and AJ grabs one of the title belts and swings at Shelley and Shelley ducks and Sabin slips right in with an enziguiri, setting Shelley up to hit Sliced Bread #2 and pin AJ.

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns

Excellent match! And a win over AJ and Kazarian is a big deal for the Guns in terms of giving them credibility. Eric Bischoff walks out from the entranceway to distract the Guns while Beer Money comes out of the crowd and attack the Guns from behind. Bischoff continues staring angrily down the ramp at AJ Styles, who again failed him by losing the fall in this match.

We go backstage to the Pope, who says that tonight he's going to call out whoever it is who's been following Pope around because after being falsely accused last week, he's going to demand an apology from whoever it may be.

It's over to Bischoff's office with Flair and AJ Styles, and Bischoff says he's really tried to be patient with AJ, but with 72 hours until the PPV and AJ's job being so simple because all he had to do was soften up the Guns, and- AJ cuts him off and says they're the champions and it's not that simple. Flair plays peacemaker and says that all Bischoff wants is for AJ to is be his best, and AJ says that Bischoff wants him to go out there and win every match, and then asks Flair if he, the greatest wrestler who ever lived, won every match, to which Flair says no, but- Bischoff cuts Flair off now, and he says it's not about Flair, it's about AJ and what he needs to get done and he has three days to get the job done, or else. AJ asks or else what, and Bischoff says he doesn't want to find out. Flair motions to AJ to let it go as AJ storms out of the office.

We go back to the ring where Pope says that someone has been following him around with a video camera while he's been tending to his business on his own time, and he doesn't know what this person has been doing, but Pope's Congregation stands strong behind him and trusts him with their lives and hard earned money because they respect their Pope. Pope says that whoever it is that's been videotaping Pope, he demands they come out and face Pope face to face. Samoa Joe's music hits, and he comes out to the ring as Pope stands there with his jaw on the floor. Joe says that too many people come out here and lie and pretend to be something they're not, and Pope tells the people that he's a street saint, but from what Joe's seen, he's a scumbag because he tells people that he's out there helping the people when he's not wrestling, but we saw him in a strip club in the nipple booth, and then he asks the boys backstage for money for the needy, but he checked all the local charities and none of them got their money, so he wonders what kinds of goods Pope was really buying. And finally, he goes to the local shelter and gets puppies for the children, but none of the orphanages have puppies and Pope's has 37 noise complaints at his house. so Joe wants to know, is Pope relaly a street saint or a scumbag? Crowd chants scumbag at Pope, but Pope asks Joe how dare he come out here and pass judgment on him, because he's been judged all his life and he doesn't need some Samoan coming out here to judge him. He went to the strip clubs to tell the girls that they don't need to be up there to make a buck and get themselves through college, and when he went to the orphanage they had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and he needed to give them hope, and he rescued those dogs because they're great company and he wanted to save them from the killers at the kennel. Pope's not new to this game, but Pope wants Joe to know that next time he comes out and makes accusations about Pope, he'd better check himself before he wrecks himself because the next time he does, they're going to have a problem. Pope has spoken, and he drops the mic and leaves the ring. Really intense segment, and it's interesting the way they brought Joe back and had him cast doubt on the Pope's character.

Mickie James and Velvet Sky are backstage, and they're...WALKING!

We go backstage to Brother Devon who says that if Bubba challenged him to a fight in the parking lot, that's fine because he got suckered in by Bubba's retirement angle and then Bubba turned on him. Now excuse him, because he's got some ass kicking to do.

Velvet shoves Sarita down and hits a diving dropkick to the face and then goes to whip Sarita into the ropes but Sarita reverses and Velvet hits a flying headscissors into a schoolgirl rollup for 2. Velvet with a clothesline and starts ramming Sarita's head into the mat over and over. Madison grabs Velvet's hair from the outside and snaps her down on the top rope and Sarita covers for 2. Mickie goes around the ring and tries to get at Madison, but referee JoJo Jackson sends her back to her own corner as Madison and Sarita work Velvet over in the corner. Madison chokes Velvet with her boot and then distracts the referee as Sarita chokes Velvet behind his back. Madison covers and only gets 2, so Sarita tags in and starts slapping Velvet around and then goes and tags right back out to Madison, who comes in and does that move where she scissors Velvet's head and humps her head into the mat. Madison spits at Mickie to draw her into the ring and then tags in Sarita, but Velvet gets a DDT out of nowhere and goes for the cover and Madison breaks it up, so Mickie comes in with a Thesz Press and damn near leaps over Madison's head, but barely catches her and then gets a neckbreaker. JoJo puts Mickie out of the ring as Tara hits Velvet with her elbow brace from the outside (visibly mouthing the F word after doing so) and Sarita covers Velvet and gets the win.

Winners: Madison Rayne & Sarita

This was mostly okay, but a lot of what Velvet did out there looked real ugly. I hate to say it because she obviously tries so hard, but you can see there's a reason that Angelina got pushed as the worker of the group.

We go to Eric Bischoff's office as Rob Van Dam is complaining to Bischoff that Jeff Hardy is walking around with HIS title, and tells him to sign the match for Genesis. Bischoff tells RVD to forget about the title for now because his moment is tonight and he needs to focus on that. This is news to RVD, who wants to know who he's wrestling tonight, and Bischoff says he's still figuring that out. RVD says he's managed to avoid mindgames for his entire career, but now he's got to deal with Bischoff. He's going to kick this guy's ass, then kick Jeff Hardy's ass, and then Bischoff will see what happens next.

Back to the ring...

TV Champion Douglas Williams vs Rob Terry

Man, I feel so bad for Rob Terry having to carry a slug like Williams. Terry tries to tie up with Williams, but Williams ducks under him a couple of times to frustrate Terry, then unloads with headbutts to the chest and European uppercuts, but came off the ropes and Terry ran him over with a shoulderblock that sent him tumbling to the outside. Suddenly, AJ Styles comes out of nowhere and attacks Williams from behind and viciously beats him down.

Winner: Douglas Williams by DQ

AJ tosses Williams into the ring and he and Terry beat him down and then Terry holds Doug's arm down while AJ comes off the second rope and stomps on his hand, trying to injure it ahead of Genesis. Well now, I think this is more what Bischoff had in mind from AJ! I can't say I'm totally broken up about getting cheated out of another Rob Terry classic, but I loved the beatdown.

Brother Ray is backstage, and he's...WALKING! And he's got security with him as he prepares for his street fight with Brother Ray.

Matt Morgan is backstage and says he's never won a World Title, but for three seconds, all he's got to do is hold the champion's shoulders down for three seconds, and his friends who have done it said it's the greatest feeling in the world. He's not just a pro wrestler, he's a keynote speaker for DARE, adults with ADD, and does it to give back, and when he's the champion, he's not going to change a thing. We then go to Jeff Hardy, who says that Ken Anderson is an asshole and Morgan is the Greenprint (ooooh!) and he doesn't think they have what it takes to beat him and he's just going to stick to his guns. Anderson says it's a given that Immoral (not Immortal, Immoral) is going to get involved. It's been time for a change in direction for a long time, and he's sick and tired of seeing those guys and he's going to do something about it, and it might not be anytime soon, but he promises that he's going to take care of it. Morgan says a rematch with Hardy would mean a new World Champion and that would mean everything to him because he beat Jeff fair and square twice, and he knows Hardy fears him, but the thing he's learned is that Jeff will hit the Twist Of Hate anywhere at anytime, so he needs to look out for that because Jeff's at a totally different level and Morgan needs to expect the unexpected. Hogan and Bischoff may be the puppeteers, but Jeff's doing stuff on his own here. Jeff lulls people into a false sense of confidence and will take a beating for ten minutes if he needs to just to set someone up for that Twist Of Hate out of nowhere. Anderson says he doesn't know if he's be a good champ and doesn't care because he just wants to be A champ. He didn't come here to make friends of be the face of the company, he did it to make money, win championships, and travel the world, and every so often you meet someone you become great friends with, but that doesn't always have a fairytale ending.

We go out to the parking lot where Brother Ray is going face to face with Brother Ray...or he would be if it weren't for the ten or so security guys standing between them and holding Devon back as Bubba eggs him on. Bubba calls Devon his lackey and his bitch and tells him to go home. Devon calls him a coward and starts to walk away, and Bubba says that his problem is that he used to be tough but now he's a coward and a (bleep). Not sure what he said but it was enough to make Devon come at him again. Security holds him back, so Bubba gets a cheap kick and Devon goes down like a ton of bricks. Bubba tells him that he could kick him in the back of the head right now, but will settle for just warning Devon not to show up to Genesis and to just go home to his wife and five kids.

Back to Bischoff's office, as Jeff Jarrett is telling him that he's got a game plan for Genesis and he's going to go train. Bischoff says before he goes, he has a problem Jarrett can solve: he needs to get rid of RVD. Jarrett says that after this Sunday, he'll take care of him, but Bischoff says he needs him to do it tonight. Jarrett says he's happy to do double duty, but Angle is out there somewhere. Bischoff says Angle got his exhibition match and he should be happy, so just go out there and take care of RVD.

Back to the ring...

X-Division champion Jay Lethal vs Abyss

Lethal ducks behind Abyss and gets a waistlock, but Abyss just shrugs him off and stares him down. Lethal tries a single leg, but Abyss just picks him up and tosses him across the ring. Lethal circles Abyss and gets another waistlock, and Abyss spins around to nail him and Lethal just punches him in the face, then ducks another shot and hits a chop. Abyss grabs him by teh head and shoves him into the corner, but Lethal dodges out of the way and goes for a springboard crossbody and Abyss catches him. Lethal slips out of Abyss' grip and kicks the leg, hits a leaping enziguiri, and starts firing away with punches and hits the handspring elbow to stagger Abyss, then a missile dropkick finally sends him down and Lethal covers for 2. Lethal goes tothe top rope but Abyss catches him and slams him completely across the ring. Abyss waits for Lethal to get up and tries a charge in the corner, Lethal ducks under and comes off the ropes and Abyss catches him with a big Black Hole Slam. Abyss hesitates before covering and pulls Lethal up at 2, then puts him in the corner and just beats him down with right after right and then chokes him out with his boot. JoJo counts Abyss and reaches 5 and disqualifies Abyss.

Winner: Jay Lethal by DQ

JoJo tries to get Abyss off of Lethal and Abyss shoves him out of the way. Frankie Kazarian slowly walks down to the ring with a big smile of his face, he's got a mic and tells Abyss to stop for the love of God because he's hurting Lethal. He tells Abyss to leave some for him, since he can't beat Lethal at Genesis if he doesn't have a pulse. This was designed to be a highly competitive warmup match and that's what they delivered. Kazarian asks Lethal to please stand up, and of course Lethal is still out cold on the mat. Abyss hauls Lethal's limp form to his feet, and Kazarian says it'll be a pleasure getting in the ring with him at Genesis and he would like to shake his hand. Abyss grabs Lethal's arm and places his hand in Kazarian's, they shake and Abyss drops Lethal as they walk away.

Up next, a sitdown interview with Ken Anderson and Matt Morgan!

Mike Tenay and Taz send us to a video package running down the card for Genesis this weekend, and then we go to a sitdown interview earlier today with Mike Tenay talking to Matt Morgan and Ken Anderson. Tenay talks about how Morgan threw away a lifetime opportunity with Fortune for him, and Anderson says he thanked him andwonders how much longer he's going to have to hear about it. Tenay says that if Anderson doesn't compete in the match this weekend, he's out of the title picture entirely, and Morgan says that Bischoff's enjoying playing games, but Anderson's got a family to feed and he understands why Anderson's doing what he's doing. Tenay starts to ask Anderson about his family, but Anderson says that he's not going to talk about his family, and if he were in Morgan's shoes he'd mind his own business. Anderson says he took two months off and if the doctor has cleared him, he's ready to get back in the ring. Morgan says we haven't seen any doctor's clearance and asks who has seen it. Tenay says he's interviewed every big name in the business, but Anderson is the one guy he can't get a read on, and asks if he's working everyone. Anderson says maybe, but they'll never know until he steps in the ring at Genesis because he IS going to get in the ring at Genesis and assholes always finish first. Morgan says if Anderson goes through with this, the gloves are off because Morgan has no choice, and Anderson can look forward to two things this weekend: Red Cross Hospital, Carbon Footprint, and graveyard. That was actually three things, but we'll let it go.

Mike Tenay points out that this is the first ever Jarrett-Van Dam match, and also that it's no DQ. I guess I missed the no DQ part earlier, but I'll just go with the flow. Jarrett circles Van Dam...and circles him...and circles him...and then stops and backs into a corner. He must have been training by watching Larry Zbyszko tapes. He circles some more and then tries to kick Van Dam's leg and RVD catches the foot and hits the stepover spinkick. Jarrett backs off to the ropes and then circles some more before going to the eyes. Jarrett tries a kick but RVD blocks and hits a spinkick then unloads on Jarrett in the corner and hits the springboard jumpkick and goes for Rolling Thunder, but Jarrett rolls out of the ring and jogs around ringside. Then jogs some more. I swear I was only kidding about the Zbyszko matches, but it might actually be true. Muffin grabs RVD's ankle from ringside and allows Jarrett an opening to come into the ring and nail RVD from behind. RVD fires back and whips Jarrett to the ropes, but Jarrett reverses and catches a sleeper. RVD starts to fade out and the ref checks the arms, but the arm doesn't drop and RVD gets back to his feet. He fights his way out of the hold and then fires repeated punches, a pair of clotheslines, and a superkick. One of the Team Jarrett guys tries to run in and RVD tosses him, then goes and grabs a chair from ringside. The rest of Team Jarrett runs in and RVD lays them out, but Gunner and Muffin run in and beat RVD down, then hold him so Jarrett can take some free shots. RVD goes down, but pops back to his feet and lays out all three guys. Suddenly, a homeless guy runs in and nails RVD and gives him the Twist Of Hate. Oh wait, it's Jeff Hardy. Jarrett covers RVD and gets the win.

Winner: Jeff Jarrett

Jarrett and Hardy continue to beat RVD down after the match until Matt Morgan runs out to make the save. He takes out both Jarreyy and Hardy and hits the inverted chokeslam on Jarrett into the corner. Hardy gets RVD's chair and goes to swing it at Morgan, but Anderson runs in and grabs the chair away and goes to swing it at Hardy, but Hardy ducks and Anderson nails Morgan instead. Jarrett and Hardy run, and Anderson just coldly looks down at Morgan before dropping the chair and walking off. Did he mean to hit Morgan or didn't he? Find out this weekend at Genesis!

Oh, and speaking of Genesis, we'll have live, match-by-match updates of Genesis this Sunday night, so if you're not ordering the PPV, or even if you are and just want to see what we're thinking as the show progresses, come to PWInsider.com this Sunday night and follow along with our coverage. We'll also have a postgame audio show in the Elite section following the event, so make sure to come check that out as well.

We start off with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Jack Korpela and Matt Striker.

Match Number One: JTG versus Tyler Reks

They lock up and Reks sends JTG into the ropes and then he knocks JTG to the floor. Reks with a kick and elbow to the back of the head. JTG with a kick when Reks returns to the ring and he punches Reks and hits a shoulder from the turnbuckles. Reks with a kick but JTG with a Thesz Press and punches. Reks goes to the floor and JTG waits for him to turn around but Reks pulls JTG down and tries to pull him to the floor, but JTG kicks Reks away and then he punches Reks on the floor.

JTG with a shoulder and then he flips over Reks to return to the ring. Reks with a knee to the midsection and then he connects with forearms to the back. Reks turns his attention to the head and neck. Reks with kicks in the corner and the referee warns him. Reks pulls JTG into the ring post and gets a near fall. Reks with a body scissors and chin lock followed by a forearm across the chest. JTG with elbows to get out of the hold but Reks with a waist lock as he works on JTG’s ability to catch his breath.

Reks gets another near fall but JTG with a sliding uppercut and a kick to the knee. JTG with more punches and a kick. Reks responds with a kick and a slam attempt. JTG escapes and drop kicks Reks in the back and gets a near fall with a rollup. JTG goes into the ropes to avoid a charge from Reks and gets a rollup for another near fall. JTG with a flying back elbow and then he hits a snap German suplex into the turnbuckle. JTG with a baseball slide drop kick into the head and he gets a near fall.

Reks drops JTG across the rope and then gets JTG up for the Burning Hammer and hits it and gets the three count.

Winner: Tyler Reks

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Chris Masters versus Curt Hawkins

They lock up and Hawkins with a side head lock but Masters gets Hawkins up and pushes him away to get out of the hold. Hawkins with a waist lock and side head lock but Masters escapes and reverses with a top wrist lock and side head lock. Hawkins gets Masters into the ropes and then he pulls the arm and Masters’ shoulder hits the ropes. Hawkins with a suplex for a near fall. Hawkins with a kick to the head while Masters with a chop. Hawkins with a belly-to-back suplex followed by a kick to the back and he gets a near fall.

Hawkins with a rear chin lock. Masters with a snap mare to escape and Masters with a Samoan drop and both men are down. Masters with a punch and chop followed by a kick and a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Masters with a shoulder tackle from the turnbuckles and he signals for the Master Lock but Hawkins is able to send Masters into the turnbuckles. Masters gets Hawkins in the Master Lock while Hawkins is in the turnbuckles and Hawkins passes out.

Winner: Chris Masters

It is time for the NXT Recap and the end of Jacob Novak on that show.

We are back and Did You Know that WWE Magazine has been around longer than Wrestlemania?

It is now time for the Raw half of the show and your announcers are Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews.

Match Number Three: Yoshi Tatsu versus Zack Ryder

They lock up and Ryder with a side head lock and hammer lock followed by a slap to the head. Yoshi with a kick and Ryder retreats to the ropes. Ryder pushes Yoshi but Yoshi chops back. Yoshi with punches and a hip toss and Japanese arm drag and drop kick for a near fall. Yoshi with a pescado onto Ryder on the floor and then he sends Zack back into the ring. Yoshi goes up top but Ryder drops Yoshi on the top rope and Yoshi goes to the floor.

Yoshi returns to the ring and Zack with a series of kicks and then he chokes Yoshi with his knee. Ryder with a near fall and then he applies the reverse chin lock. Yoshi with a crucifix but Ryder rolls through and Ryder with a running back elbow. Ryder chokes Yoshi in the ropes and he follows that with a swinging neckbreaker. Ryder with a chin lock and he puts his knee in Yoshi’s back.

Yoshi with punches but Ryder with an Irish whip. Yoshi with a boot but Ryder kicks Yoshi back into the corner. Yoshi with a chop to Ryder and then he sends Zack into the ring post. Yoshi with a kick and chops to Ryder followed by kicks and running knees into the corner. Yoshi misses the spinning heel kick and Ryder with a neck breaker for a near fall. Yoshi avoids the Rough Ryder and hits a round kick for the three count.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Dolph Ziggler video package and then the Raw Rebound.

Match Number Four: Mark Henry and Daniel Bryan with the Bellas versus Tyson Kidd and Ted DiBiase with Maryse

Kidd and Bryan start things off and Kidd with a waist lock but Bryan works on the wrist. Kidd with a reversal but Bryan tries to escape and he succeeds and gives Kidd and arm drag into an arm bar. Bryan with an Irish whip and monkey flip but Kidd lands on his feet. Kidd is on his back after he turns around and gets a drop kick for his troubles. Henry tags in and then Kidd makes sure to tag in DiBiase.

Ted slaps and punches Henry and Mark with a clothesline and punches. Henry with a shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. Henry with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Henry with a head butt to Kidd who tries to interfere. Henry with a double clothesline that sends Kidd and DiBiase over the top rope to the floor. Bryan tags in and Henry presses Bryan over his head and he slams Bryan onto DiBiase and Kidd as we go to commercial.

We are back and DiBiase tags back in and he punches and kicks Bryan while Kidd holds him in the corner. Kidd chokes Bryan while DiBiase spends time with the referee. Bryan with a forearm to DiBiase and an elbow to Kidd. Ted with a neck breaker and standing drop kick for a near fall. Ted with boots to the chest using the ropes for extra impact. Ted sends Bryan into the corner and tags Kidd back in and Kidd with a series of kicks.

Ted chokes Bryan while Kidd is admonished by the referee. Kidd with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Bryan and Kidd each think about a cross body so both men go down. Henry tags in and he hits Kidd with clotheslines followed by a head butt and slam. Henry misses a splash and Ted is tagged back in and he works on the back and then hits a few knee drops and gets a near fall but Henry powers out with the cover.

Ted tries to pull Henry into the corner but he does tag in Kidd who hits a knee drop to the head followed by a front face lock. Henry with a back body drop to get out of the front face lock.

Ted and Bryan tag in and Bryan with a missile drop kick and then he sends Kidd off the apron with a drop kick. Bryan flips over Ted and hits a running clothesline. Bryan hits the running drop kick into the corner and gets a near fall. Bryan goes up top again and DiBiase meets him with a drop kick as he comes off the turnbuckles. Tyson Kidd tags in and tries for the Sharpshooter but Bryan counters with a rollup for a near fall. Bryan gets Kidd in the LaBell Lock but Ted breaks it up. Henry sends Ted to the floor.

Kidd with a back kick but Bryan with a drop kick. Bryan is sent into the turnbuckles and Kidd hits a fisherman’s neck breaker and gets the three count.

Winners: Ted DiBiase and Tyson Kidd

2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following:

We start off this week’s show with a look back at the Falls Count Anywhere Match between Wade Barrett and Randy Orton and the result with Orton being sent down a flight of stairs.

We are live on tape from Little Rock, Arkansas and your announcers are Michael ‘Proud holder of immunity in 2012’ Cole and Josh ‘Good enough that he doesn’t need immunity’ Mathews.

We see footage from last week when Cody Rhodes attacked his brother in the ring when Dustin tried to play mediator.

They lock up and Booker with a hammer lock into a side head lock and Booker with a shoulder tackle and Cody backs into the corner. They lock up again and Booker with knees to the midsection followed by a forearm to the back and a back elbow. Booker gets a near fall. Booker works on the arm but Cody backs Booker into the corner and Cody with a knee and punches.

Cody with a side head lock and punches to the head. Cody with a kick to the midsection followed by another punch. Cody with a hard Irish whip to Booker and Cody with a kick. Cody works on the arm and he elbows the arm. Cody with a hammer lock but Booker with an elbow and chop. Cody with a chop and then they exchange chops with Booker getting the advantage and he knees Cody and follows with a back body drop.

Booker with a back heel kick and he gets a near fall. Booker with chops and then he sends Cody over the top rope but Cody skins the cat. Booker sees him come back in and Booker with a clothesline that sends Cody over the top rope to the floor.

Booker goes after Cody and Cody with a punch and a hot shot on the ringside barrier. Cody with a running boot to Booker and he returns to the ring as we go to commercial.

We are back and Cody sends Booker into the turnbuckles. Booker blocks a hip toss and he counters with a back slide for a near fall. Booker with a savate kick and he gets a near fall. Booker chops Cody in the corner and follows with a forearm. Booker with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Cody with a moonsault for a near fall.

Cody limps after Booker kicks out. Cody kicks Booker in the corner and the referee warns him. Cody punches Booker. Cody with a snap mare and an underhook. Booker with punches and a running forearm followed by a side slam for a near fall. Booker with a spinebuster and he gets a near fall.

Booker with a kick and he tries for the scissors kick but Cody avoids it. Cody avoids a Bookend, but he misses Beautiful Disaster when Booker ducks. Booker with another kick and he tries for the scissors kick and he hits it. Cody is able to kick out at two and Booker is in shock. Cody pushes Booker away but Booker attacks Cody in the corner. Cody with an Irish whip and Booker wants to go with the float over into a sunset flip but Cody does not charge into the corner. Booker blocks a punch from Cody and responds with a punch of his own.

Booker with a knee and he tries for a scissors kick one more time but Cody moves out of the way. Cody with a punch and kick. Booker misses a side kick but Rhodes does not miss Beautiful Disaster and he gets the three count.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

After the match, Booker is in the ring thinking about his chance to become the Intercontinental Champion. He gets an ovation from the fans and then he acknowledges it.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment with Michael Cole doing the voice over.

Cody Rhodes walks triumphantly through the back and Dustin stops him and congratulates him on beating one of the all time greats.

Cody wants to know if this is flattery. He says that this is why they do not speak. Dustin had nothing of use to say last week and he has nothing to say of use this week. Cody says that he is more of a success than Dustin and may be a bigger success than dad. Cody says that if Dustin is thinking of putting on the gold paint and make one more run. He says that Dustin is not a joke or a laughing stock but it could end up that way. Cody tells Dustin to just ask Booker.

Zack Ryder is in Teddy Long’s office and he thanks Teddy for making him the Assistant General Manager. Teddy corrects Zack and says that he was the assistant to the General Manager. Zack says that now that he is the United States Champion it is time to move on. Zack says that he has found a suitable replacement.

Drew McIntyre comes in and Teddy wants to know if Zack is serious about having Drew as the assistant.

Drew says that he is not here and Zack says that he is talking about this man . . . and Santino enters.

Santino reminds Teddy when he applied for the job. He says that he can update his calendar, sync his iPod, and he can fix the paper jam in the printer. He can also give Teddy some information. Santino reminds Teddy about what he told Drew last week that he would fire him if he lost his match last week and Santino reminds Teddy that Drew lost last week.

Drew yells at Santino and Teddy tells Drew to stop it. Teddy tells Drew that if he doesn’t win tonight, he will be on very thin ice. Drew will face Santino tonight and if Santino wins, he will be Teddy’s assistant. Drew wants to know what happens when he wins. Teddy says that if Drew wins tonight, he might not fire Drew.

Things in the room get blue as the saxophones start to play. Aksana makes her way into the office and Santino leaves. Teddy says that he misses Aksana and he says that maybe they can go someplace and get dinner after the show ends.

We go to commercial.

We are back with footage from the 2008 Royal Rumble when John Cena made his shocking return to win.

Alicia Fox and AJ Lee are in the back and Alicia asks her how her New Year’s went. AJ says that things were great for her and Daniel. She says that he is the quiet and sensitive type, but she is worried about his match with Big Show. Alicia says that she hopes her boyfriend’s ego can handle a loss.

Daniel enters and he asks if they were talking about his ego because if they don’t remember, he already beat the Big Show.

Alicia says that she is going to let them have some time alone together (along with the video cameras filming this).

Bryan asks AJ why she is friends with Alicia. AJ says that Alicia is concerned about him and so is she. Bryan asks AJ if she thinks that he cannot beat the Big Show. AJ says that she is a little worried. Bryan says that after he wins tonight, they can celebrate.

We see comments from Heath Slater last week when he was insulting Hornswoggle.

Match Number Two: Heath Slater versus Hornswoggle in an Over the Rope Challenge

Hornswoggle tells Heath to look up but Heath will not play Hornswoggle’s games. Eventually he looks up and Hornswoggle stomps on his foot and punches Slater. Hornswoggle bites Slater in the rear end. Hornswoggle with a head butt to the midsection followed by a knee lift and then Slater grabs Hornswoggle and throws him to the mat. Slater chokes Hornswoggle in the corner.

Slater puts Hornswoggle on the turnbuckles and then he tries for a cross body but Slater catches him and Hornswoggle lands on the apron and he pulls Slater over by the hair and eliminates Slater.

Winner: Hornswoggle

After the match, Slater returns to the ring and he kicks Hornswoggle in the head. Justin Gabriel makes his way to the ring and he hits a flying shoulder tackle on Slater. Slater with an STO and then he goes up top for the 450 splash and he hits it.

Gabriel and Hornswoggle celebrate as we go to commercial.

Before our next match, Hunico tells Ted that he hears that Ted likes a good time, but him and Camacho have not been invited to be a part of his posse. Camacho asks if they are not good enough to party with his posse and wonders if they are being disrespected.

Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase versus Hunico with Camacho and THE BICYCLE

They lock up and Ted with a side head lock take down and Hunico with a head scissors and Ted escapes. Ted with a few arm drags and arm bar. Hunico pushes Ted and Ted pushes back. Ted punches Hunico and then he counters a head scissors take down with a sit out front driver for a near fall.

Ted sends Hunico into the turnbuckles followed by an Irish whip bu thTed runs into a boot from Hunico. Hunico sends Ted into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Ted and starts to work on the arm by trying to hyper extend it. Hunico with an arm bar. Ted with punches and Hunico with a Fujiwara arm bar.

Hunico with a hammer lock but Ted escapes with a back body drop. Hunico charges into the corner and Ted moves out of the way. Ted with a drop kick and then he hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a punch and a flying knee. Ted with the rebound clothesline and he gets a near fall.

Ted tries for Dream Street but Hunico works on the shoulder again and stops DiBiase. Hunico sends DiBiase into the turnbuckles and then he rolls up DiBiase with the injured am trapped to get the three count.

Winner: Hunico

Wade Barrett is in the back talking to the medical staff and we cannot hear what they are saying so we go to commercial.

We are back and Wade Barrett brings the barrage to the ring.

Wade says that he told our doctors not to bother coming to the ring because he can handle the medical update tonight. Wade wants us to see what happened to Randy Orton last week on Smackdown.

Wade says that Randy’s injury was just a byproduct of a Falls Count Anywhere match. Randy has a herniated disc in his lower back. As for his career . . . he’s finished. Orton may try to come back but he is not going to be the same mentally. He is another victim of the Barrett Barrage.

In less than four weeks, the Royal Rumble will take place ironically in Randy Orton’s home town. It is ironic because the hometown hero could have eliminated twenty-nine other people to get in the main event at Wrestlemania. Instead, Orton will have to sit in the crowd and watch Wade Barrett do it because there is nobody in the company who can beat him.

Sheamus’ music plays and he comes to the ring.

Sheamus asks the Fella what’s cracking. He wonders if he was seeing Barrett in the ring or his great uncle Wilfred. Sheamus says that Wilfred loved the sound of his own voice and talking about the battles that he won. He says that Wilfred was a simple sheepherder. It was all fantasy, just like Barrett saying that he is going to win the Royal Rumble with no problems. He says that Barrett will have a problem and Sheamus will be the biggest one.

Sheamus says that Wilfred was kicked in the head by a mule at eight years old. That was the excuse for Wilfred’s fantasy stories but he wants to know Barrett’s excuse for being a horse’s arse.

Jinder Mahal’s music plays as the international nature of this segment expands to Asia. He makes his way to the ring while Barrett goes to the floor.

Jinder says something to Sheamus that cannot be heard on the mic and then Mahal slaps Sheamus but Sheamus attacks Mahal. Barrett attacks Sheamus from behind and Sheamus tries to fight from a two on one disadvantage. Sheamus takes care of Mahal and Barrett. Sheamsu with power slams to Mahal and then to Sheamus. Sheamus sets for the Celtic Cross but Mahal hits Sheamus. Sheamus with a double sledge to Mahal but Barrett hits the Winds of Change and then he stands over Sheamus with his fist in the air.

Mahal returns to the ring and he puts Sheamus in the Camel Clutch.

Josh and Michael talk about our main event and we see footage from TLC when Big Show won the title from Mark Henry. Then we see Mark Henry’s attack on Big Show after the match and Daniel Bryan cashing in.

We go to commercial with a Tale of the Tape.

Match Number Four: Santino Marella versus Drew McIntyre

They lock up and Drew sends Santino to the mat and then Santino gets into Drew’s chest. Drew misses a clothesline when Santino does a split. Santino with punches but Drew with an Irish whip. Santino tries to float over but Drew with a kick to the chest and he gets a near fall. Drew with kicks to Santino followed by an Irish whip and a suplex for a near fall.

Drew chokes Santino in the ropes and then kicks the ropes to continue to work on Santino’s neck. Drew sets for the Future Shock but Santino with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Drew with a clothesline followed by punches and kicks in the corner. The referee warns Drew and Drew puts Santino on the top turnbuckle. Drew tries for a superplex but Santino falls to the floor and the momentum pulls Drew onto the turnbuckles and he falls to the mat. Santino sets up the Cobra and he hits it and gets the three count.

Winner: Santino Marella

After the match, we see the thrill of victory from Santino Marella and the agony of defeat from Drew McIntyre.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Drew is still in shock at his loss. Teddy stops by and Drew says that cannot count because the ropes were greased. Teddy says that he saw another loss and he says that is strike two. Teddy tells Drew that next week, if he loses, he might be out.

Santino Marella runs by and he tells Teddy that they are going to make beautiful music together.

Before our next match, we go to the Goldman Box where Rosa Mendes talks about Epico and Primo. Rosa goes all Rosetta Stone about Epico and Primo.

Match Number Five: Epico and Primo with Rosa Mendes versus Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a Non Title Match

Epico and Bourne start things off and Epico with a back body drop but Bourne counters into a rollup. Epico with a punch and snap mare but Bourne lands on his feet and he kicks Epico and tags in Kofi. Kofi with a drop kick to Epico and he gets a near fall. Epico drops Kofi on the ropes and chokes him and then Primo kicks Kofi and Epico gets a near fall.

Primo tags in and he kicks Kofi after Epico kicks Kofi. Epico tags back in and he kicks Kofi some more. Epico gets a near fall. Epico follows things up with a drop kick for a near fall. Epico with a reverse chin lock and Kofi gets to his feet and he punches Epico. Epico with an Irish whip but Kofi with an elbow and a double jump cross body and both men are down.

Primo and Bourne tag in and Bourne with a slingshot kick to Primo followed by a leaping leg lariat and a head scissors take down. Bourne with a kick to the chest and an elbow to Epico on the apron. Bourne with a leaping knee and then Primo tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Bourne lands on his feet and Bourne with a kick to Primo and forearm in the corner. Bourne goes up top for the double knee take down and he gets a near fall.

All four men are in the ring and Kofi takes care of Epico and then Rose gets in front of Epico on the floor so Kofi cannot hit a pescado onto Epico. Epico trips Kofi and pulls him to the floor. Bourne with a knee to Primo and then Bourne goes up top but Epico pulls Primo out of the way when Bourne goes for the Shooting Star Press. Primo gets the three count on Bourne.

Winners: Epico and Primo

Matt Striker is in the interview area with the man who will try to win the World Championship later tonight, the Big Show. Show says that he never underestimates an opponent but he is very confident tonight. Show mentions that Bryan cashed in when Show was unconscious. Tonight he is looking forward to regaining his title tonight. He says that Daniel Bryan is a good wrestler.

Bryan enters and he says that he is a very good wrestler and Show acts like it isn’t something to be proud of. Bryan says that he worked his entire life to be a great wrestler and he is not a genetic freak. Bryan says that if he had Show’s size and his skills, it would not have been nine years between World Championships. Bryan says that he wouldn’t have had the shortest title reign in history.

Show tells Bryan not to hurt him out there tonight.

Bryan tells Show to get his damn hand off his shoulder.

Show wants to know if Bryan is a tough guy now and Show walks away.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Jinder Mahal will face Sheamus next week because of what happened earlier tonight.

Before our next match, we see video footage of the fathers of the participants in the next match, Jim Neidhart and Jimmy Snuka.

Match Number Six: Natalya versus Tamina

Natalya with a take down and she punches Tamina. Natalya with a kick to the midsection followed by more punches. Natalya kicks Tamina while she controls things. Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter but Tamina kicks her away. Each woman tries for a cross body and they go down.

Natalya gets to her feet first but Tamina hits a Samoan drop and then Tamina looks to the turnbuckles and she goes up top for the Superfly Splash and the three count.

Winner: Tamina

We go to the Raw Rebound.

We go to commercial.

Mark Henry makes his way to ringside for the main event and he will join Josh and Michael at the announce table.

Before the match, Michael Cole is being Michael Cole and off Mark Henry’s comment that Daniel Bryan is a good fit for the midget division, he asks Mark who would win a match between Bryan and Hornswoggle. Henry looks like he wants to induct a new member into the Hall of Pain.

Match Number Seven: Big Show versus Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship

Bryan tries to avoid Show as Show tries to corner Bryan. Bryan with a kick and he runs away. Show grabs Bryan and gets him into the corner. Show with a punch to the midsection and chops. Show picks up Bryan by the neck and he head butts Bryan to the mat.

Bryan goes to the floor and we go to commercial as Bryan tries to figure out what to do.

We are back and Bryan kicks Show in the leg but Show sends Bryan to the floor. Show goes to the floor and Bryan goes back into the ring and he hits a baseball slide. Bryan with a pescado but Show catches him and he tries to send Show into the post but Bryan gets away and he sends Show into the post. Bryan with a flying knee off the apron.

Henry tells Show to get up while the referee counts Show out. Show gets back into the ring before the ten count. Show blocks a kick and Show with a chop. Bryan with a drop kick to the knee and kicks to the head. Bryan with more kicks and he gets a near fall but Show powers out of the cover.

Show runs into a knee from Bryan and Bryan with a drop kick from the second turnbuckles for a near fall but Show sends Bryan to the floor on the kick out. Henry tells Bryan not to take a rest on the floor and Show pulls Bryan to the apron. Bryan with a kick and he drops Show’s arm on the top rope. Bryan goes up top but Show with a punch to Bryan. Show with a shoulder tackle followed by an Irish whip but Show misses the splash into the corner.

Show with a spear and both men are down. Show with a cover but Bryan kicks out. The strap comes down and it is time for the choke slam. Show grabs Bryan by the throat but Bryan counters into a guillotine choke and Show goes to his knees. Show tries to fight out of the hold but Bryan with the LeBell Lock and he locks it in. Show tries to fight through the pain.

Show escapes the hold and Show goes for the punch but Bryan sees it coming and he leaves the ring. Henry yells at Bryan again to get back into the ring. Bryan gets in Henry’s face at the announce table and Henry pushes Bryan down. Henry gets up from the announce table and Bryan asks the referee if he is going to do something about this and he calls for the bell.

Winner: Daniel Bryan by disqualification

After the match, Show cannot believe the referee’s decision while Bryan celebrates his successful title defense. Bryan celebrates on the ringside barrier but the fans are not as enthusiastic as they were when he won the title at TLC.

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